How cannabis affects brain development during adolescence
Official title: Impact of Cannabis on Prefrontal Maturation
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-10930821 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using cannabis during the teenage years might affect the development of an important part of the brain called the prefrontal cortex, which helps with thinking and managing emotions, so we can better understand the potential long-term effects on young people's mental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 30, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $359,775 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DA056447-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930821 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who have used cannabis or are at risk of cannabis use.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or who have not been exposed to cannabis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of cannabis exposure on the maturation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC) in adolescents. It aims to understand how cannabis use during this critical developmental period may lead to cognitive and emotional regulation deficits later in life. The study will focus on the neurobiological processes that are sensitive to cannabis exposure, particularly the balance of excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain. By examining these mechanisms, the research seeks to uncover the specific ways in which cannabis affects brain development and function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention of cognitive and emotional issues related to adolescent cannabis use.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have indicated that cannabis exposure during adolescence can disrupt brain development, suggesting that this research builds on established findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tseng, Kuei-Yuan — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Tseng, Kuei-Yuan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.